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Lake Cressbrook Weekend

With the Kayak strapped on top of the trailer, Kerrie and I headed off on Friday afternoon to Lake Cressbrook for yet another micro adventure. I can't wait until the micro turns into major adventures.

Arriving at Lake Cressbrook campground, we were happy to get the last lake frontage site for our trailer. The campsite works on a first in first served basis and is a cash payment or cheque only. As we (i.e. Kerrie) thought that we can just leave our credit card details, it was a mad search for spare change in the car to make up the $32 for two nights camping. It is pretty expensive for a campsite, but there are hot showers and toilet facilities and the campground is set out very nicely. The water in the dam is pretty low, but still heaps of paddling opportunity.

Early to bed and early to rise is our motto, OK maybe we slept in a little, but after a short drive on Saturday morning, we arrived at the car park/picnic area just past the Lake Perserverance dam wall. The way down Perserverance Creek starts just across the road with a short and sharp descent into the river below the dam wall. From there we followed the dirt road downstream for about 1km and experienced some quite spectacular open gorge scenery.

Once the dirt road finishes, rock hopping down the creek begins and there is a choice of either continuing to rock hop along the creek or take the easier, but maybe not as spectacular route on the Eastern (right-hand side). At one stage this must have been a defined track as we came across some old direction markers, but now the track is mostly overgrown and slow going.

Rock hopping becomes bolder jumping and after nearly 2 hours we start moving up Crows Nest Creek, for about 500 meters to our destination, a nice secluded rock pool for a refreshing swim and well-deserved lunch.

After we had cooled down at the rock pool we returned to the car via the way we came. Along the way, we saw lots of wildlife and beautiful flora, including wildflowers in full bloom. Not to mention some lantana thickets we had to push our way through.

After a short rest at the car we headed back to Lake Cressbrook for happy hour.

Sunday we spent relaxing around the campsite, talking to other campers and finally managing to go for a kayak on the Lake.

The most memorable experience was coming across a nude sit-on-top kayaker, whom we gave a wide berth, once we noticed his lack of clothing.

Unfortunately, it was time to head back to suburbia, but Kerrie is already planning our next adventure.

Crows Nest Creek waterhole walk:
Difficulty: 3 out of 5
Duration: 5 hours with a swim
Notes: Wear long trousers due to Lantana

Lake Cressbrook campground
Cost: $8 per person per day (cash or cheque)
Amenities: Hot showers and toilets
Sites: Tent and caravan/camper trailer
Stuff to do: Walking, there are some short (about 6km) walks around the campsite. Watersports and fishing.